Although a geothermal heat pump is one of the more expensive systems to purchase and install, my husband and I felt the investment was worth it.
- Geothermal heating and cooling is the most efficient, environmentally responsible and cost effective means of temperature control available.
The system makes use of the free, renewable energy stored in our own backyard. Choosing a geothermal unit saves us around seventy percent on our overall heating, cooling and water heating costs. The heat pump provides five units of energy for every one unit of electrical energy required. It achieves an efficiency rating of well over 500%. The most efficient gas furnace on the market only manages an AFUE rating of 98%. We’re also impressed with the comfort the geothermal heat pump offers. It is designed to run longer at lower speeds to maintain a more even temperature, with no hot or cold spots. Our system includes zone control, allowing us to customize the temperature settings in each room. We don’t need to heat or cool empty rooms, and we can easily target those spaces that tend to feel a little overheated or chilly, without impacting the whole house. I like that there’s no ugly, noisy outdoor equipment taking up space in the backyard. The outdoor loop system is buried entirely underground. The indoor heat pump is compact and makes no more noise than our refrigerator. Because the geothermal system simply moves heat energy from one place to another, there’s no combustion process. There’s no flames, fumes, hot surfaces, carbon monoxide threat or greenhouse gases. Installing a geothermal heat pump is the environmental equivalent of planting 750 new trees.